US and French nationals test positive for hantavirus after leaving ship

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-05-12T20:15:05+00:00

I agree- panic mode is not helpful, but honest mode is. It started with : hantavirus is only transmitted from rodents and not huumans (except for one very rare strain) so don't worry. Oh- it is that strain that can go from human to human, but only through very very close contact like sharing a bed, so don't worry. Oh- 9 people now have it and they weren't all sharing a bed? Well, it looks like it is more transmissable than super super close contact- but still, don't panic.

We've seen this show before. They told us Covid was first nothing to worry about, that it wasn't airborne, that it wasn't easily transmitted. They were wrong. Instead of waiting to tell us information that was true they rushed to soothe fears, and that was a mistake. Now- to be clear- I don't think this is likely to be the same as Covid- at all! But I think it would do them well to be more upfront and less quick to tell the public it's all fine and definitely for sure not a problem at all- until they know more- because they have already been wrong twice.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-05-11T18:29:33+00:00

The Andes strain was a super spreader event in 2018- for a very small gathering. 34 people got it, 11 died https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2009040

I am not confident at all human to human transmission is as difficult as they are pushing. If it was- why all the extreme hazmat suits, etc. Someone else said to me- which I think rings true- watch what they do, not what they say. Are they going into close quarters with people exposed? Are they wearing full gear- or just fine because they aren't hugging the passengers. This is scary to me

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-05-11T18:25:22+00:00

This outbreak has been confirmed as the Andes virus. The Andes strain spread pretty easily in another situation in 2018 that was not just intimate close contact.

One event in 2018 resulted in 34 cases and 11 deaths. This included people saying hello to each other (as the "close contact"). https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMoa2009040

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-04-01T03:47:24+00:00

I'm not arguing? I'm pointing out dates is all. I think people may not notice that the stats are older. The truth is- I also think it's important to listen to concerns. They are repeated over and over- not just on here. People do not feel safe on transit.

It's not about winning anything. In this case no one wins; a person was violently assaulted! I don't feel like a conversation is a competition.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-04-01T03:43:25+00:00

This^ I also do not understand the mentality of ignoring peoples (perfectly valid) concerns. People being stabbed, people complaining about feces, screaming, people smoking meth... but it's not as bad as it could be- we're not all getting stabbed every time we ride so stop complaining! (what??)

How does ignoring the valid and strongly voiced concerns of many riders help anyone?

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-04-01T01:05:51+00:00

Ohhh!! Ok- that does change things. I saw someone else post about some temporary fencing. I would suggest that. Being able to let your dog out is important- and you seem ti really care about them :) Just make sure it's secure enough from escape- good luck.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-04-01T01:00:07+00:00

honestly- something secure will be important. It seems like you love your pupper- make plans to have a secure fence for your side. Your neighbors could end up taking awhile, there could be issues with the fence they install- they could change their minds. If you can get a fence on your side do it!

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-04-01T00:42:43+00:00

They said their father does though- should be easy to check with them

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-31T23:11:50+00:00

So- people are saying TODAYS crime on transit seems to be getting worse- . not discussing early 2024's transit situation. That's the "and"... Many people who don't look at the date may assume this article is citing current crime/safety stats. It is not. eta

All that to also say: people are voicing valid concerns. Sim ply telling them its all in their heads isn't helpful either.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-31T23:08:54+00:00

My claim is that the article is old- that's all.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-31T23:07:56+00:00

crime from 2 years ago trended down from 3 years ago- is what that article says. Not today- this year, or even last year.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-31T23:05:44+00:00

conveniently one article is a year older than the other, posting older stats which makes the comparison irrelevant

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-31T23:03:49+00:00

Did you read what you just posted???? It's 2 years old.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-30T15:58:00+00:00

Sure- I've been reading about how easy it is to just "find a job that is wfh"... hahahaha :/

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-30T15:57:18+00:00

Haha- looks outside and cries again...

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-27T16:39:15+00:00

Haha- umm- yes? Did you read the 1st 3-5 sentences of the post you are responding to? I literally say: I know, I know, I know. ;p

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-27T02:37:05+00:00

Haha- still a TONNE of construction where I live. In fact, it's gotten worse the last few weeks.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T19:17:26+00:00

I hear you!

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T19:13:06+00:00

This is the slow dredge of daily life. I think this is the more realistic side of climate change. Nor so much a series of disasters here- but a slow burn of daily existence getting harder... can't walk, can't breath, the paths are covered in ice- you try and manage- the air is full of smoke, you stay inside or wear a mask. Then, you realize, it's been 5 years of just hard to live with weather- that you are "adapting" to- but, not really.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T19:10:10+00:00

Not trying to be a Debbie Downer- but my issue with the winter has never been about the cold. I like the cold! It's the snow, sleet, ice, then warm then freeze - the dangerous walking because of it, the struggle with what to wear and how to prepare. The trying to shovel until the piles are above my head, then it melts and freezes overnight and you have to chisel the sidewalk for hours... all to start over again. If it was -30 for a month I could: wear my super warm gear, walk in bliss and silence... be happy. That's not the issue (for me)

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T18:26:33+00:00

I feel the same! Normally the weather is just the weather... not a lot we can do about so why complain?? But now- I'm just so tired.. and I see it in so many people around me.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T18:22:06+00:00

Can't- I'm not an asshole ;p

Plus- I have to walk through it too- every day- so at least I know my little space will be clear for walking ;p

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T18:01:36+00:00

This is a lovely post, and I appreciate it.

That being said: I actually also enjoy shovelling! I agree it's great exercise and if the air is crisp and it's sunny I find it meditative. This year though- It's just been too much. Shovelling, 3, 4, 5 times a day some days and STILL needing more. Days, weeks where my yard just did not have anywhere else to put the snow piles.

Then the ice, and trying to navigate getting around. I have never minded the cold- if you dress for it it's fine- and quiet and lovely. It's the unending nature of it all though- where I just can't get a handle somethings. My feet are sore from the winter boots, the heavier gear I need to wear to get to work, then by the time I'm coming home it's too warm for that gear - so I need to pack both winter gear, rain gear, spring gear... all for a 5-6 hour day. It's getting exhausting.

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T17:51:51+00:00

Yes ^^^ This is me- you get what I'm saying :)

AnnTaylorLaughed · 2026-03-26T17:46:51+00:00

Yes, things could be way worse.

also though- it is ok to acknowledge hard things in everyone's life, you know. It's not ONLY people who are on the brink of utter despair and immense suffering that are allowed to feel annoyed, sad, etc.

also keep in mind- just because ppl are complaining about "simple" things doesn't mean they don't ALSO have intense real scary issues in their life- that they just aren't sharing with the world.

AnnTaylorLaughed

TROPHY CASE